Indiana Senate OKs South Shore expansion study

By a 47-0 vote, the Senate directed the controversial plan to a summer session for further study.

The plan to build a $1 billion rail extension to Lowell and Valparaiso got bogged down this session with questions about its funding sources and local disputes about how Lake County's casino revenues should be spent.

Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, applauded the Senate's move Wednesday.

"We need to develop a plan that will serve the entire Northwest Indiana region and capitalize on our No. 1 transportation priority -- the Gary airport," Rogers said.

Sen. Luke Kenley, chairman of the Senate Tax Committee, has proclaimed himself a fan of the idea of the extension.

But Kenley made it clear from early in the legislative process that he does not look kindly on the proposal to divert $350 million in state sales taxes to a local project.

The House of Representatives could still call for a conference committee to further negotiate on the issue, or it could find its way into another bill before the end of the legislative session.

If it goes to summer study, Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, has promised to reintroduce the proposal next year.